Corporate Governance and Operational Performance of Banks in the MENA Region

Abstract

This article aims to study the impact of corporate governance on the performance of banks operating in the MENA region over the period 2009-2020. The results, obtained using the maximum likelihood method and the system generalized method of moments (system-GMM), show that the size of the board of directors, CEO-chairman role duality, ownership concentration and the presence of remuneration and nomination committees have a significant impact on the performance of banks in MENA countries. In addition, the empirical results revealed that bank size, credit risk, capitalization ratio, economic growth and the quality of the institutional environment are indeed explanatory factors of bank performance. Our findings provide useful information to regulatory authorities to improve the governance mechanisms of banks in the MENA region.